Negev Desert

The Negev Desert occupies more than half of Israel, more precisely, we are talking about 60%. Only 10% of the total population lives here. The total area of the desert part of the country is 13 thousand square kilometers. It is divided into 4 parts: the northern Negev plateau, the Negev mountains, the Paran highlands and the Eilat mountains. The highest point in the desert is Mount Ramon, located at an altitude of 1035 m above sea level. The Negev is not a simple desert, it is mobile, alive and diverse, and its nature has a charm of restraint. There has been active life here for thousands of years. And now, tourist routes are built so that tourists see unique nature, touch the holy places of the desert and archaeological sites.

Forest in the desert

Although the Negev Desert is a dry desert with sparse and sparse vegetation, the Israelis created the artificial Yatir Forest in the north of the desert, in the Hebron Highlands. Since 1964, more than 4 million trees have been planted there: peaches, nuts, olives, almonds, pine trees. Hundreds of tourists a day come to the forest to relax. Routes are equipped for them, paths are made and a fire-fighting system is equipped. Not far from the forest there are small agricultural settlements (kibbutzim) Shani and Ar Amasa.

Stream in the desert

The desert never ceases to amaze with its wonders and contrasts. Among the many hills and hills, the Bsor stream flows. Its peculiarity is that, being in the heart of the desert, it never dries out. The water is of course not potable, as the stream is swampy and filled with algae. These places are famous for their history; David and Abraham once visited here, the army of Alexander the Great passed through, and the battle of the Six-Day War raged here.

The spring is located in the reserve. One of the attractions of the reserve is the suspension bridge built between the two banks. And although the structure is quite reliable, with strong gusts of wind it sways a lot, and it becomes a little scary.

Moonscapes

In some places, in the Negev desert you can feel like you’re on the moon. The landscape is reminiscent of lunar craters and steep cliffs. The largest crater is called Ramon. The reason for the formation of craters lies in the erosion of rocks. Inside the crater, due to lava emissions on the sandstone, quartz crystals are formed. Externally, in shape, they look like pencils. At the bottom of the crater you can find evidence of a thousand-year-old existence of the sea in these places. The shells of extinct mollusks that disappeared hundreds of millions of years ago are scattered throughout the area. The Negev Desert is full of attractions, and guides invite you to visit many interesting places.

On the ship of the desert

One of the excursions offers an hour and a half walk through the Eilat mountain reserve, riding on a camel. After the walk, everyone is invited to dinner, to try Bedouin flatbreads, olives, cheese and tea made from the local habaka herb, similar to mint. During dinner, the setting is illuminated by torches, creating a magical spectacle in the silent desert.

On all four sides

For adrenaline junkies, jeep trips are offered along the bed of a dry river, to the top of Mount Yoash, 725 meters above sea level. Along the way, passing through biblical sites, there are several stops, during which the guide talks about the history of the region. From the heights of the Eilat Mountains you can admire the sunset, an unforgettable view of the Gulf of Aqaba, and see 4 countries at once: Jordan, Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Climate

The Negev Desert is located in the subtropical desert belt of the Northern Hemisphere. Continental semi-desert and desert climates are characterized by large ranges of temperature differences between day and night, and between summer and winter months. In dry and hot summers, thermometers can rise to 50 degrees. During the winter months it is much warmer here than in the rest of Israel, but at night the temperature can drop to 0°C or lower. In the southern part of the desert there is almost no precipitation, but in the northern part, up to 300 mm falls per year.

Best time to visit

Comfortable time in the Negev Desert ─ this is the beginning of spring (March) until mid-May. It is very beautiful here in the spring, as the grass begins to turn green everywhere, the desert is covered with a flower carpet of lavender and irises, acacia bushes and trees bloom. The sky is filled with flocks of birds returning from wintering. Then, unfortunately, all this beauty fades and dries up. From September to the end of November the weather here is also very comfortable, but the autumn landscapes are no longer so picturesque.

Where to stay

There are no problems with overnight accommodation in the Negev Desert. There are many settlements where you can stay. Tents, eco-villages, guest huts and lodges decorated by local artists provide an immersive desert experience. For those who want a comfortable stay in the desert capital of Beersheba, there are various hotels that can be booked in advance.